On May 29th, the Department of Homeland Security released a list of sanctuary jurisdictions, including cities, counties, and states that are “deliberately obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws and endangering American citizens.” Montgomery County was included on the list, along with Delaware and Chester counties, and the City of Philadelphia. Pennsylvania was not included; however, New Jersey and Delaware were.
This action follows the signing of an Executive Order by President Donald J. Trump on April 28th. That order directs the Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and the Attorney General Pam Bondi to “identify and publicly highlight jurisdictions that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.”
The Executive Order and the announcement do not specify the actions that the federal government will take if the jurisdictions do not cooperate with federal immigration authorities. However, President Trump has announced plans to withhold federal funding. The courts have hampered previous efforts to do so.
“These sanctuary city politicians are endangering Americans and our law enforcement in order to protect violent criminal illegal aliens,” said Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. “We are exposing these sanctuary politicians who harbor criminal illegal aliens and defy federal law. President Trump and I will always put the safety of the American people first. Sanctuary politicians are on notice: comply with federal law.”
The Department of Homeland Security is sending each jurisdiction a formal notification of its non-compliance and all potential violations of federal criminal statutes.
The announcement concludes that the Department of Homeland Security “demands that these jurisdictions immediately review and revise their policies to align with federal immigration laws and renew their obligation to protect American citizens, not dangerous illegal aliens.”
Montgomery County officials have not yet released a statement in response to being included on the list. We will provide an update when they do.
The complete list of impacted jurisdictions in Pennsylvania:
Adams County
Allegheny County
Centre County
Chester County
Clarion County
Dauphin County
Delaware County
Lehigh County
Montgomery County
Montour County
Northampton County
Gettysburg
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
State College
York
Photo: ICE